Scotland Yard Warns London of Possible Mumbai-Style Attack

Scotland Yard has warned businesses in London to expect a Mumbai-style attack on the capital.

In a briefing in London 12 days ago, a senior detective from SO15, the Metropolitan police counter-terrorism command, said: “Mumbai is coming to London.”

The detective said companies should anticipate a shooting and hostage-taking raid “involving a small number of gunmen with handguns and improvised explosive devices”.

The warning — the bluntest issued by police — has underlined an assessment that a terrorist cell may be preparing an attack on London early next year.

During a “commando-style” raid by 10 gunmen on hotels and cafes in Mumbai in Nov. 2008, 174 people were killed and more than 300 injured over three days.

Officials now report an increase in “intelligence chatter” — communications captured by electronic eavesdropping agencies. One senior security adviser said the police warnings had intensified and become much more specific over the past two weeks.